The 2019-20 season is in the rearview mirror. The free agency will officially open its doors on March 18. In the meantime, DNA of Sports takes the opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the off-season. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agent to extend? Which rookies to watch? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. Today, the Denver Broncos are sifting through.
The seasons follow and resemble each other in Colorado. Subscribers to the soft underbelly of the league since their Super Bowl victory, the Broncos have not escaped it this year. Exit Vic Fangio after 4 years without having managed to get the franchise off the ground, welcome Nathaniel Hackett. Yet there is no shortage of playmakers on both sides of the field. With a promising defense around the trio Simmons, Surtain, Chubb and an offense that has all the players from last year to perform, Denver seems to be the type of team that lacks a competent quarterback to become immediately very credible. . Problem, the solution does not seem to exist internally at the moment.
The owners
- Courtland Sutton (WR)
- Justin Simmons (S)
- Garett Bolles (LT)
Few receivers are more underrated than Courtland Sutton in the league. Well back from a torn anterior cruciate ligaments, he continues to lead the Broncos offensive squad and was rewarded by signing a 4-year contract for more than 60 million dollars. From the top of his 776 yards and 2 touchdowns, we saw more brilliant productions, but you have to see who threw the ball to him.
In an orphan defense of his living legend, Von Miller, the star is Justin Simmons. The safety has asserted itself for 5 years as one of the most prolific interceptors in the league. With 10 interceptions over the last two seasons, he is one of the most consistent in the game. Add to that a large volume of play and here is another who has well deserved his contract extension (4 years for 61 million dollars).
The offensive line is also solid: Garrett Bolles. The offensive lineman has bounced back well after having had a very complicated start to his career and has established himself as one of the benchmarks for the position of left tackle. If his 2021 season is less perfect than in 2020 with 5 sacks conceded against 0 last year, he remains essential and an argument of choice in the arrival of a quarterback.
Undesirables
- Mike Purcell (DT)
- Sam Martin (P)
Only nose tackle, Mike Purcell could suffer from a change of scheme after the departure of Vic Fangio. His fairly average performance and his difficulty in staying healthy will have a hard time saving the day. Indeed, he only played 6 games last year and was almost doubled by DeShawn Williams in the hierarchy last season. Difficult then to keep him and his impact above 4 million dollars for the next two seasons.
With dynamite in his legs, we thought that Sam Martin was going to explode the records by taking advantage of the altitude of Denver. The result was disappointing, in particular because of its lack of regularity. Costing nearly $3 million, the Broncos could find just as good for less.
The summer man
Bradley Chubb (OLB)
With the departure of Von Miller, the new terror of the opposing quarterbacks, it had to be him. Unfortunately, the former 5th pick in the 2018 draft is struggling to regain his production from his rookie season (12 sacks) when he played next to the legend. After a truncated season where he failed to make a single sack, Bradley Chubb must bounce back.
Next season, his contract is coming to an end, so he must prove to the executive that he was more than a comet in the Broncos’ system or risk being one more bust for John Elway.
Top 5 Free Agents
- Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
- Kyle Fuller (CB)
- Melvin Gordon (RB)
- Kareem Jackson (S)
- Bryce Callahan (BC)
The others: AJ Johnson (ILB), Bobby Massie (RT), Stephe, Weatherly (DE), Shamar Stephen (DT), Michael Ford (CB), Cameron Fleming (T), Eric Saubert (TE)
Talented quarterbacks, a rare commodity that has eluded the Broncos for 7 years. It is the number 1 position that poses problems for the Broncos and the holder of last year is free and ready to go elsewhere. So the question is who will replace the fragile but very reliable Teddy Bridgewater?
The defensive back also sees a number of its key players becoming Free Agents. Kareem Jackson has found a good synergy with his sidekick safety Justin Simmons and it would not be surprising to see him again next year. This is not the case with cornerbacks where choices will have to be made. The excellent level of Patrick Surtain automatically takes a starting seat in the defense of the Broncos and Kyle Fuller like Bryce Callahan risk claiming, with good reason, a price that is a little too high for a rotation player.
The running position also sees the current incumbent take the gate. Javonte Williams’ surprise outburst makes Melvin Gordon’s return dispensable unless he accepts a big discount on his price.
The top 5 needs
- Quarterback
- defensive line
- Linebacker
- offensive line
- Cornerback
Denver desperately needs a franchise quarterback who can bring stability to the position and take the team to a new level. After two seasons, Drew Lock has not convinced that he has what it takes to start in the NFL. 19th in the number of yards gained by the air, the room for improvement is great in this sector.
The pass rush is also nowhere near as dominant as it was during their heyday. With 36 sacks over the last exercise, they finish in a mediocre 19th place in the standings. Shelby Harris is the biggest contributor with 6 sacks. It’s little, it lacks a pass rusher capable of dominating this workforce. Add to that a defense in the race that was martyred by the Raiders or the Eagles at the end of the regular season and we have good reason to consider the front seven as one of the most important sectors for this offseason.
To attract an elite quarterback, you have to be able to show him that you can protect him well. The Broncos line is not completely hermetic. With 40 sacks conceded, she is in the 10 teams that concede the most in the league. Dalton Risner has not had the season of his life and the position of right tackle has not found an interior.
Finally, with almost all of its free agent cornerbacks, this position is mathematically becoming the source of front office attention for this offseason. Indeed, Ronald Darby has not lived up to all the expectations of Broncos fans and therefore reinforcements are needed in this rearguard where the only certainty is rookie Patrick Surtain.
Target
Aaron Rodgers (QB, Packers)
Since winning Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning in charge, the Broncos have started a whopping 10 different passers without being able to find the right one. Last year’s Teddy Bridgewarter experience gave half satisfaction. The quarterback is also looking for stability after having chained one-year contracts. A stability that the framing is not willing to give him. But that’s good, the reigning league MVP is a free agent. Aaron Rodgers has on his side a more than provided resume and still one of the most successful arms in the league.
After the Packers’ offensive coordinator was hired as head coach, the Broncos are rumored to be all in on him. If, by some miracle, he puts his suitcases down in Colorado, it wouldn’t be an upgrade. It would be day and night, at the most important position in our sport.
The new blood
George Karlaftis (DE)
As we have seen, the needs on the front seven are important. Choosing 9th place in the next draft, the Broncos risk missing out on the two generational prospects for the pass rusher position: Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson. The class of pass rushers is particularly deep this year, and past this first tier, the second tier players remain more than promising. Purdue’s George Karlaftis is a tackle-for-loss specialist, as good against the pass as he is running, he could bring the talent and his activity to help the Broncos in both areas.
Other possible choices: Ikem Ekwonu (OT), Aidan Hutchinson (DE), Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE), David Ojabo (DE), Evan Neal (OT), Kenny Pickett (QB)
